Thread: Paths of the Dead

Grondmaster has made 25465 posts and is a Dwarf from Glittering Caves and has sailed into the West.
Posted Thursday 1st January 1970 (12:00am)

The warrior was Baldor, first son of Brego the Second King of the Rohirrim. During the feast to celebrate the completion of Meduseld in 2569 TA, Baldor vowed that he would tread 'the Paths of the Dead'; this he did, but failed to complete.

I have often wondered if the cronies of Aldor, his younger brother, got Baldor in his cups and then by insinuating that it would be cowardly not to tread the 'Paths'. This would have been to get the throne for Aldor when Brego finally died, which he did a year later, of a broken heart over the loss of Baldor. This conspiracy theory is probably hogwash, and the truth is probably more that Baldor was Boromir-like in that he also had to be the one to do it.

As for the treasure, I think that is unknown. When Aragorn was gazing at Baldor's remains, before the fast closed stony door he said:

Quote:... Whither does it lead? Why would he pass? None shall ever know!

'For that is not my errand!' he cried, turning back and speaking to the whispering darkness behind. 'Keep your hoards and your secrets hidden in the Accursed Years! Speed only we ask. Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to the Stone of Erech!'

The above was found in the ROTK, Book V, near the end of Chapter 2 entitled 'The Passing of the Grey Company', and also bits were gleaned from Appendix A of ROTK.

Cirdan has made 163 posts and is an Elf from Rivendell and is not online.
Posted Thursday 1st January 1970 (12:00am)

Aah! thats it! thanks again I like the conspiracy theory idea a lot! He must have 1 too many rum n cokes to try that one Now that the dead have finally departed I wonder how long it would be before someone ventured back...

Lucien has made 26 posts and is from and is not online.
Posted Thursday 1st January 1970 (12:00am)

This is out of the blue but I can't wait to see The Paths Of The Dead in the movie. Somehow that chapter has been a favorite of mine and I would love to see how PJ will portray it on film. On TTT I was looking foward to the Dead Marshes which is another favorite location and I loved it in the film...with the faces underwater...awesome!!

This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the J. R. R. Tolkien Estate Ltd. or any of its publishers or licensees, New Line Cinema or AOL Time Warner Inc. It does not imply or claim any rights to Tolkien's characters or creations. The Lord of the Rings is a registered trademark of Saul Zaentz Company trading as Tolkien Enterprises. Copyrights and trademarks for the books, films, articles, and other promotional materials are held by their respective owners and their use is allowed under the fair use clause of the Copyright Law.